Every once in a while, I see a toon running around the Badlands that would require an alignment shift. In the past, this has been a beta member testing something out. I've never seen a regular PC with a build that requires an alignment shift. I even inquired about alignment shifts to a DM when I started playing on the BL well over a year ago. I specifically remembered the DM telling me it was not possible to shift your alignment on the server.
Last night, I noticed 'Bad to the Bone' (Paladin 15, Sorcerer 9, Blackguard 1) logged on. Obviously, that build requires a shift from good to evil. Unlike traditional table D&D, in NwN a paladin who becomes evil does not lose all their paladin abilities. For example, divine grace stacks with dark blessing.
Curious, I asked Bad to the Bone (twice) how he accomplished his alignment shift. Both times, he ignored me.
Is Bad to the Bone a DM or beta member, and hence is privileged with alignment shifts? OR am I missing something?
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Bad to the Bone is player Terry17.
I was trying to find him to PK him but ran out of time.
Is Terry17 a beta member or DM? Hence the alignment shift?
Not that I know of. I do re-call him asking for DM assistance over shout one day.
That toon was in my level range so I was trying to find it for some PvP action. I think it was alot better than the one I was playing because I ended up seeing him on Sheelo in his low to mid twenties, while I was stuck in the Drow stronhold still (I need some gold for maxing my equipment)a
Sorry about not answering. I didn't see your talk chat at first. When I did finally read it, I tried to send you a tell and I think you had logged. To answer your question now, I used to be a DM and a Beta. I quit playing for quite a long time, and just came back recently. I am no longer a DM or Beta at this time. I just want to apologize, and let you know, I wasn't trying to ignore you.
As Terry17 said, Terry used to be both a DM and a Beta Tester here. I'm not sure if this particular toon was started a long time ago or if it's new and had some DM help.
BadLands has never supported alignment shifts. I have given it some thought from time to time and I can't figure out how to stop the exploits that would open up. I put the alignment tool in the Beta Room so we could test alignment changes and we all agreed later that BadLands is better with a non-shift-alignment.
A DM does have the ability to change your toons alignment. But we will only do if you're a really low level and it won't affect your current classes. Basically, if you're level 10 and you suddenly realize that you started as neutral but need to be evil to get your class you're building for. If you wait until you're level 35 to ask for a shift, forget it.
Most who have experimented with a one-time-shift have found that they don't really get anything useful anyway. You would need to be able to change you're alignment every few levels for it to be a useful building strategy.
And, as Jim pointed out, a Paladin that turns evil does not lose any current abilities, he simply cannot grow as a Paladin without becoming good again.
One time shifts are a lot less useful than eliminating alignment requirements totally. (that's what shift at will effectively does, it eliminates the alignment restrictions) But a one time shift can still be pretty useful.
A sorcerer that can take both Blackguard and pally would be able to add twice their charisma to their saves. This should make it pretty easy to survive any dev crit (unless you roll a 1)
Pally builds would be able to get both Tumble and RDD levels. (but they'll still suck)
Now that I think about it, giving up 1 level of pally for a level of BG would be pretty useful in a lot of ways.
Monks could get Bard Buffs and UMD.
It doesn't seem like that big of a deal really.
If there were an alignment change in badlands it should be something else. My vote would be a quest that allows you to get more lawful / good. Gear that's restricted to alignments. And finally, if you get PK points you become more chaotic and evil. But that's just my 2 cents. All in all I'm happy with the way things are.
In response to Terry's comment above: I didn't know Bad to the Bone was your toon until the other night when I was in a party and you explained how you accomplished your alignment shift. Thanks for the explanation.
In response to Q and Garble: I can think of several examples of builds that could benefit from a one-time align shift. Obviously, Pally/BG is a classic example, but there are many more. None of which produces an uber/perfect character, BUT many provide an advantage(s) to varying degrees. These advantages are not typically glaring, but could be used to gain the upper hand while BKing or in PvP action. There's no substitute for creating a well-built PC and knowing how to utilize that toon's abilities, but when you're up against someone who knows the game well and is your equal when it comes to PvP, it's the little things that swing the tide of a battle.
Garble makes a great point- PKing (90% of the time) is an inherently evil act. Is there any way the PK system could be altered to shift your alignment based on either the number of toons you PK or the level spread between you and your victim? Sounds like a good idea to me.
I used the Potions to shift alignment on the Badlands 1095c server. I made a Barbarian Dwarven Defender if i remember correctly :)
I spoke to Terry and he shared his build with me; it seems well thought out.
When I Played on the Dalakora Permanent World, Paladins and Monks wern't even allowed to MultiClass, which I found to be a bit inflexible. Also there were no Champions of Torm allowed there.
I like to have the variety of options to build my characters, and the SubRaces are an excellent addition.
However this is a matter of balance, and maybe we should not open up the Alignment Swapping to the point where it gets out of hand.
Having said all that, I may just roll up my own version (Different Sub-Race) and try to get the Alignment shift from Good to Evil at Level 15 to follow in Terry's footsteps, if the DM's agree that I can make the same shift that Terry did. My excuse is that I now have 43 chars on this server (39 are Legendary and the other 4 are 39/ 39 / 38 / 28). So it might be fun for me to build an Infernal Warrior Type.
All the Best .....Blade :)
Your best excuse / reason is that because Terry did it, we ALL should be able to do it. Phooey on the DM that is doing favors.
(and I have fired DM's for playing favorites)
Actually, this just gave me an idea. How about a Sub-Race that gets an alignment shift at a certain level. Say, it must start as LG (or can't start), and then goes CE at say, level 21. Plan and build for that shift or be SOL.
""(and I have fired DM's for playing favorites)""
Getting fired implies the DM's are getting some sort of paycheck....
Where's my money, biotch!!!??? :P
It's spelled B I T C H and you must be the guilty one.
Nana nana poopoo. Thhhh.
The only thing I'm guilty of...is loving BadLands to much...**tear**
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